【BS NTV】New Vehicle for Toden! Railway Designer Eiji Mitooka Recreates "Original Tokyo Scenery" from His Youth: "We Must Offer Rich Travel Experiences"
BS NTV's program "Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train" will feature the new Toden Arakawa Line vehicle No. 8501. The program will introduce the charm of the vehicle, designed by railway designer Eiji Mitooka to recreate the original scenery of Tokyo, and show an exclusive charter run, a first for the media.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 17:30
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Railway and travel enthusiasts among celebrities enjoy various trips on "Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train."
On Tuesday, May 12th, we will feature the new vehicle of the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram), the only streetcar running in Tokyo! As part of a Toden renewal project, we will thoroughly dissect the new vehicle No. 8501, which began operation this April. Railway designer Eiji Mitooka, who handled the renewal, will appear on the program! He will explain the meticulously designed new vehicle to Sogo Ito of SUPER☆DRAGON, known as an "idol railfan." Furthermore, the two will take the first media ride! We will deliver scenes from the special charter operation.
■ Project the Metropolitan Government staked its prestige on
Opened in 1911 (Meiji 44), the Toden was an indispensable mode of transportation for Tokyo citizens, with 41 lines and a total length of 213 kilometers at its peak. Although only the Arakawa Line remains today, the Metropolitan Government embarked on a project it staked its prestige on: the renewal of this vehicle. The unveiling ceremony was splendidly held, attended by Governor Yuriko Koike.
Mitooka-san, known for designing numerous unique sightseeing trains, is designing a Tokyo railway vehicle for the first time. In his mind, there was the original Tokyo scenery he saw as a boy. "When I first came to Tokyo at 14, the vehicles running in the distance were yellow-orange, ginkgo-colored streetcars." He says this challenge was born from the desire to bring such nostalgic vehicles back to the streets of Tokyo.
The exterior is a vivid yellow-orange. Reiji of Nakagawa-ke imagines, "This will run through downtown..." at its retro-futuristic appearance. And inside... a Mitooka world unfolds. From the kumiko panels and benches behind the driver's seat to the strap hangers and blinds, it's a Japanese taste richly utilizing the warmth of wood. The design of the seat cushions was also handled by Mitooka-san down to the smallest detail. Ito-san was also impressed, saying, "I get the impression it's very Mitooka-san." And Mitooka-san will reveal a shocking behind-the-scenes story about this design. Yumichika-san also exclaims, "That vitality is wonderful!" and is deeply impressed.
■ Mitooka reveals... a shocking behind-the-scenes design story
In the latter half of the program, it's finally the program's first media charter operation! What's more, Mitooka-san will be riding it for the first time too. Ito-san was nervous in front of the "god of railway design," but gradually couldn't contain his excitement and led Mitooka-san to the front of the vehicle. Seeing the two, Reiji relaxes his expression, saying, "They're really like a grandpa and grandson."
While usually used as a commuter train in Tokyo, Mitooka-san had incorporated an experimental feature into this vehicle. "Originally, it's not just about riding, but if possible..." They decide to test out a wider range of operating methods with Ito-san. What was the response?
A train journey of about 40 minutes from Arakawa Shako-mae to Waseda. Mitooka-san expressed the essence of train travel, saying, "If we don't offer rich travel experiences, fans won't increase, right?"
[Title]
Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train
[Program Overview]
Produce trips that are easy to imitate and make you want to imitate! Those people doing these trips are interesting!
Railway and travel enthusiasts among celebrities enjoy various trips on "Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train."
Learn about spectacular viewpoints and local gourmet from train travel specialists.
Presentation of "insider" travel plans by those who have mastered their passions!
Experience realistic fantasies with a fresh perspective using a "video guidebook"!
[Broadcast Date & Time]
Every Tuesday at 9 PM
[Broadcaster]
BS NTV / BS NTV 4K
[Performers]
Yumichika, Reiji
[Credit]
©BS NTV
[Program HP]
https://www.bs4.jp/mousou-train/
*Please note that the materials cannot be reused for purposes other than this article.
On Tuesday, May 12th, we will feature the new vehicle of the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram), the only streetcar running in Tokyo! As part of a Toden renewal project, we will thoroughly dissect the new vehicle No. 8501, which began operation this April. Railway designer Eiji Mitooka, who handled the renewal, will appear on the program! He will explain the meticulously designed new vehicle to Sogo Ito of SUPER☆DRAGON, known as an "idol railfan." Furthermore, the two will take the first media ride! We will deliver scenes from the special charter operation.
■ Project the Metropolitan Government staked its prestige on
Opened in 1911 (Meiji 44), the Toden was an indispensable mode of transportation for Tokyo citizens, with 41 lines and a total length of 213 kilometers at its peak. Although only the Arakawa Line remains today, the Metropolitan Government embarked on a project it staked its prestige on: the renewal of this vehicle. The unveiling ceremony was splendidly held, attended by Governor Yuriko Koike.
Mitooka-san, known for designing numerous unique sightseeing trains, is designing a Tokyo railway vehicle for the first time. In his mind, there was the original Tokyo scenery he saw as a boy. "When I first came to Tokyo at 14, the vehicles running in the distance were yellow-orange, ginkgo-colored streetcars." He says this challenge was born from the desire to bring such nostalgic vehicles back to the streets of Tokyo.
The exterior is a vivid yellow-orange. Reiji of Nakagawa-ke imagines, "This will run through downtown..." at its retro-futuristic appearance. And inside... a Mitooka world unfolds. From the kumiko panels and benches behind the driver's seat to the strap hangers and blinds, it's a Japanese taste richly utilizing the warmth of wood. The design of the seat cushions was also handled by Mitooka-san down to the smallest detail. Ito-san was also impressed, saying, "I get the impression it's very Mitooka-san." And Mitooka-san will reveal a shocking behind-the-scenes story about this design. Yumichika-san also exclaims, "That vitality is wonderful!" and is deeply impressed.
■ Mitooka reveals... a shocking behind-the-scenes design story
In the latter half of the program, it's finally the program's first media charter operation! What's more, Mitooka-san will be riding it for the first time too. Ito-san was nervous in front of the "god of railway design," but gradually couldn't contain his excitement and led Mitooka-san to the front of the vehicle. Seeing the two, Reiji relaxes his expression, saying, "They're really like a grandpa and grandson."
While usually used as a commuter train in Tokyo, Mitooka-san had incorporated an experimental feature into this vehicle. "Originally, it's not just about riding, but if possible..." They decide to test out a wider range of operating methods with Ito-san. What was the response?
A train journey of about 40 minutes from Arakawa Shako-mae to Waseda. Mitooka-san expressed the essence of train travel, saying, "If we don't offer rich travel experiences, fans won't increase, right?"
[Title]
Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train
[Program Overview]
Produce trips that are easy to imitate and make you want to imitate! Those people doing these trips are interesting!
Railway and travel enthusiasts among celebrities enjoy various trips on "Yumichika Reiji's Fantasy Train."
Learn about spectacular viewpoints and local gourmet from train travel specialists.
Presentation of "insider" travel plans by those who have mastered their passions!
Experience realistic fantasies with a fresh perspective using a "video guidebook"!
[Broadcast Date & Time]
Every Tuesday at 9 PM
[Broadcaster]
BS NTV / BS NTV 4K
[Performers]
Yumichika, Reiji
[Credit]
©BS NTV
[Program HP]
https://www.bs4.jp/mousou-train/
*Please note that the materials cannot be reused for purposes other than this article.